Healthcare is a fast-growing industry with tons of opportunities for all different interests and skillsets. The path from high school into healthcare can look different depending on what you have available in your area and what you choose to explore.
Does your high school offer credit courses through Dual Enrollment or a Career & Technical Center that you can take? Reduce your out-of-pocket college costs by knocking out core health sciences courses during high school for quicker entry into paid roles, some requiring little or no additional experience. Depending on the program, some students graduate with a full workforce credential for more specialized healthcare roles (e.g. nursing, respiratory technician).
Complete a credential program while you are in high school and position yourself (with a leg up from your peers) to apply for hospital jobs that require experience (e.g. EMT/Paramedic) and/or have solid relevant volunteer (or paid) experience for your college applications.
There may be opportunities to gain hands-on experience through completion of a Fast Forward Healthcare Credential Program (ranging from 8-20 weeks to complete). These do not require a college degree, but some may have age requirements. Following completion of course hours, students become eligible to sit for the associated credentialing exam.
Become a Phlebotomy Technician, Clinical Medical Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Certified Billing & Coding Specialist, Medical Billing & Coder, Medication Aide, Nursing Assistant, Patient Care Tech, EKG Tech with low out-of-pocket cost (average program cost is less than $1000.)
Check out high-demand healthcare degree programs that qualify for G3 funding and can be completed in two years. From here you can:
Be sure to highlight internships and clinical experience through your degree program even if you have no prior work experience.
Tuition support is frequently provided by hospital employers (amounts vary), and often incentivized for advancement in high-demand healthcare occupations (e.g. nursing).
Many Virginia Community Colleges have guarantee transfer agreements if you meet certain criteria.
Virginia residents may qualify for G3 tuition assistance for pursuing training in one of five most-in-demand fields (this includes Healthcare). Each of Virginia’s 23 community colleges has a list of approved G3 programs that are designed to be “stackable,” meaning that each program starts with skills training that leads to a certificate with immediate value in the labor market. Because the certificate is part of an associate degree, a working student can continue to “stack” additional certificates on the pathway to an associate degree. Your out-of-pocket costs for tuition, fees, and books can be $0 if you meet the eligibility requirements for G3, after federal financial aid.
Do you already know what type of healthcare degree you want to pursue? Research program rankings, program details, and application timeline. Keep in mind your university will most likely have clinical partnerships with their local hospitals for clinical rotations and job connections.
Have an interest in healthcare but not sure where the opportunities align with your interests and skills?
Can’t stand the idea of blood? Explore radiology tech positions or other allied health roles (avoid phlebotomy). Learn more about healthcare career paths here.
Look for opportunities for hands-on training while in college to develop your skills and set yourself apart from other job applicants
Got your eye on a medical degree? To become a medical doctor or other healthcare professional requiring specialty or graduate level training, you will need to apply to medical or graduate school following completion of a college degree. Completion of career and technical training, a credential program, hands-on clinical training experiences (or shadowing), and other relevant experience will help your application stand out.
Many students take a gap year or period to study for licensure exams and pursue part- or full-time employment at a hospital during this time. Two common roles that provide perfect experience and training for medical students- future doctors- are medical scribes (get paid to practice writing medical terminology) and clinical research navigator (explain processes & study goals, risks & potential side effects to patients).
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